The General Election will be taking place on Thursday as voters head to polling stations across the UK to select their MP.

Somerset live has been bringing you extensive coverage from constituencies across the county from the live debates to the lighter side of the campaign (though we're not sure the Cerne Abbas Giant was too pleased).

And here is our guide to everything you need to about voting, who you are being asked to vote for and information about where the candidates stand to help you make your choice?

Can I vote without my polling card?

Yes. You don't need to take your polling card with you to vote - it might speed the process up a little, but you can vote without it.

Every ballot paper, however, contains a unique registration number linking the vote to the person who cast it.

In theory, someone with access to both the ballot papers and registration numbers for any given constituency could trace individual votes, but is this possible?

Theresa May is joined by Marcus Fysh - Yeovil Mp (left), David Warburton - Somerton and Frome MP (right) and Bath and West chairman Rupert Cox (far right)

What happens to ballot papers after an election?

Under the Representation of the People Act 1983, ballot papers and marked copies of the electoral register have to be safely deposited with the Government.

The papers are sealed and kept in storage for one year after an election, to ensure that any allegations of corrupt or illegal practices can be properly investigated.

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

Click to playTap to play

The video will start in 8Cancel

Play now

After this time is up, the sacks of paper are sent to be incinerated and destroyed, meaning there will be no lasting record of your vote.

Because it is theoretically possible to trace votes to individuals, it has previously been suggested that the secret services could use ballot information to keep records of supporters of “extremist” parties.

Who am I voting for?

Anyone who applied for a postal vote will already have made their decision but for those waiting to grab a pencil and make their mark, here's a quick guide to what you need to know